First and Ninth

I’ve never been a fan of staying in one place for too long, but I certainly didn’t sign up to be a traveling soldier.  In less than 6o days I have been in eight different states, mostly work related.

I’ve flown enough to slide in and out airport security in record time, but somehow I manage to misread the fast line and end up behind the, “do I take my earrings off?” girl, or the guy that forgot he needed to take that computer out and bottle necks the line for three minutes of my life I will never get back.  And no, you don’t have to take off your nose ring (unless it can be used as a weapon).   Let’s not forget the ever so convenient plane delays.  They wouldn’t be so bad if airline personnel weren’t so angry, taking it out on you and your innocent questions.  Shit, you just want to know if you’re going to make your connecting flight.  Flying is obviously not my favorite pastime.  Even when you’ve finally boarded, it’s really a crap shoot who sits next to and behind you.  You’re lucky if you don’t get a backseat kicker or between a heavy breather and a professional conversationalist.

Don’t get me wrong, traveling is one of those things that makes you seem interesting and frankly, saves you from a lot of awkward silences.  Doing it out of obligation for work is not always fun.  Sometimes I meet cool people along the way and that makes these trips well worth it.  Truthfully there is no substitution for the experiences had outside city airports.  Learn the world.  I suppose the hours of air time beat the days of car time and trump the weeks of horse carriage time.   I’ll be on a 21 hour flight to Australia in 8 days.  Maybe I should have been a traveling soldier.

Laguna Niguel, CA

San Antonio/Dallas, TX

Las Vegas, NV

New York, New Jersey NY, NJ

Philadelphia, PA

Washington, DC

Chicago, IL

In the process of my life I enjoy every moment of self-discovery.  The dues I’ve paid making bad choices eventually make me laugh.  The dividends I collect from the success of taking chances still make me smile.  It’s a win/win situation.

YOU-ME=YOU

For as long as I can remember, I’ve found someone, or rather aspects of someone’s life that I’d like to take on as my own.  More patience, a nicer wardrobe, better nail beds, a higher GPA, etc…  Alternatively, people exist that remind me of what a good person I am (even at my most evil moments).  Bigots, dog fighters, Charlie Sheen, traffic nose pickers, etc…  For all the traits, features, possessions, talents, relationships and decisions that are mine, I accept them and I own them .  If I tried to be you, I would inevitably get it wrong, because only you can do you.